DODGE CITY, KANSAS- Gemma Marie (Hessman) Mills, 59, died Sunday, April 1, 2018 at her home in Dodge City.

She was born October 14, 1958 in Austin, Texas, the daughter of Francis Robert and Bonnie Ruth (Leveritt) Hessman. She was a lifetime Dodge City resident and a graduate of Dodge City High School. She attended Dodge City Community College and Wichita State University. She marched in 1976 Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. Gemma participated in the 1978-1980 American Agriculture Movement in Washington, D.C., she traveled to Italy, Austria, Germany, France and England with Foreign Study League in 1977. Gemma worked as a security dispatcher, computer specialist, medical transcriptionist, and tax specialist retiring in May of 2000. She also helped at a young age with the family farm. She had an unbelievable spirit and zest for life. From keg parties in High School, to horseback riding hyjinks, and fantastic Las Vegas trips; Gemma showed everyone how to enjoy each and every moment of your life. Gemma wants everyone to know that she feels blessed to have lived an amazing life with the best family, friends, love of her life, children and in the last few years, her grandson, Patrick. She was the best at reminding us all never to take life seriously, because none of us get out alive.

She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City.

On July 17, 1982 she married Melvin "Joe" Mills Jr., at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dodge City.

Survivor include: her husband Joe, Dodge City; her son, Joseph Mills, Wichita; her daughter, Bonnie Cook and husband Shaun, Ft. Worth, Texas; brother, Robert Benjamin Hessman and wife Janine, Wichita; 3 sisters, Dava Crussell and husband Thomas, Penrose, Colorado, Jude Hessman, Dodge City, Frances Waldren and husband Randy, Wichita; and her grandson, Patrick Alexander Cook.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Rhinehold "Ron" Hessman; sister, Mary Mel Eesa Rains; nephew, Bradley Watson; and grandparents, Fred and Roberta Hessman.

Vigil service will be 7:00 pm Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Cremation will follow the rosary. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Friday, April 6, 2018 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Father Wesley Schawe presiding. Inurnment will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery, Fort Dodge. Visitation will be noon to 7:00 pm Thursday at Ziegler Funeral Chapel.

The family suggests memorials to Ford County 4-H or Parents of Murdered Children, both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.